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April 29, 2008

Van Zanic                                                                                                                                

Director of Sports Information

(724) 847-6886

vgzanic@geneva.edu

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 26, 2008

DON’T TELL GENEVA ATHLETES IT

DOESN’T COUNT, TRACK TEAM EMPTIES
TANK AT PAC MEET

Washington, PA – Perhaps the biggest misconception facing Geneva athletes these days is that they have nothing to compete for in the post-season. As Geneva has transitioned to NCAA Division III, it is true that the Golden Tornadoes must wait until their provisional status expires to compete on the Division III national stage, but Geneva’s track and field team still had an opportunity to step to the line with the best the PAC had to offer at the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championships at Washington & Jefferson College on Saturday.

While the team scores for Geneva’s men and women were not calculated, the individual performances by many of its athletes will be remembered for years to come. In men’s action, freshman Cory Fraction left the competition in the dust in his 100 meter dash qualifying heat. The middle distance brothers of Phil and Josh Falk each performed well with Josh finishing seventh in the 3000 meter steeplechase and Phil placing ninth in the 1500 meter event.

In women’s action, Tiffany Bear placed in the top ten in three events including the long jump, high jump and javelin. Teammate Kelsey Anderson performed well with a third place finish in the javelin and a sixth place showing in the 100 meter hurdles.

Geneva’s middle distance runners have done well all season and Saturday’s effort was no different. Susan Fletcher (2^nd) and Marsha Miller (6^th) each turned in solid performances in the 3000 meter steeplechase, while Laura Seyler (5^th) and Sarah Davis (7^th) each did well in the 1500 meter race. Rebecca VanRegenmorter finished fifth in the 5000 meter event, while Beth Bartolomeo was second in the 10000 meter race.

While you may not see Julie Everett’s name at the top of the results page, her effort on Saturday will be remembered for years. Running a faster pace than ever before in the 800 meter event, Everett literally ran herself into the ground as she hit the track just meters from the finish. Able to crawl across the line, Everett still posted a personal best time of 2:42.05 and a 16^th place finish. “Julie’s efforts exemplified the job done by our entire team,” said head coach Bret Otte. “Our kids do have something to compete for every time they toe the line. I couldn’t be prouder of the way they all have improved this season.”

Geneva will send ten athletes to the NCCAA national track and field meet this weekend at Indiana Wesleyan University to compete against some of the best athletes in the country.